Both priests were suspended over separate allegations that they each sexually abused a 17-year-old, and each more than 40 years ago. Neither allegation is connected to the other, and the cases of the priests are not related to the 2011 Philadelphia grand jury report that resulted in dozens of priests placed on leave.

Archbishop Chaput’s determination of unsuitability for ministry means the two priests will have no public ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They have the right to appeal the decisions to the Holy See. If they do not appeal or if an appeal is unsuccessful, they could be laicized — removed from the clerical state — or live a life of prayer and penance.

Father John Paul

The announcement was made at weekend Masses Feb. 22-23 at St. Martha and Our Lady of Calvary parishes in Northeast Philadelphia, the parishes where Father Collins and Father Paul, respectively, last served when placed on leave.

Father Collins was on the faculty at Holy Family University for 37 years and was living at St. Martha Rectory in Northeast Philadelphia at the time he was placed on leave. After he was ordained in 1964, he spent many years in education, especially at Roman Catholic High School and Cardinal Dougherty High School.

He served at the following parishes, schools and offices: St. John the Evangelist, Philadelphia (1964); Roman Catholic High School for Boys, Philadelphia (1964-1965); St. Paul, Philadelphia (1964-1965); Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal (1964-1965); Our Lady of Pompeii, Philadelphia (1965); student priest at the Pontifical North American College, Rome (1965-1968); St. Stephen, Philadelphia (1966); Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia (1968-1969); Immaculate Conception, Philadelphia (1968-1975); Roman Catholic High School for Boys (1969-1976); St. Paul, Philadelphia (1975-1976); St. Christopher, Philadelphia (1976); Holy Family University, Philadelphia (1976-2013).

Father John Paul, ordained in 1972, also spent many years as a teacher at five different archdiocesan high schools, plus parish ministry. He was named pastor of Our Lady of Calvary Parish in 2000 and remained there until he resigned last year.

The allegations against Fathers Collins and Paul first were reported to the appropriate local district attorney’s office so that law enforcement could investigate the matters and review them for possible criminal charges. After the district attorney did not bring criminal charges, the archdiocesan Office of Investigations began its investigation in each case.

The results of this process were submitted to the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibility Review Board, which is comprised of 12 men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, with extensive professional backgrounds in the investigation and treatment of child sexual abuse.

The archdiocese said it recognized the public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence. Victim services are available through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@archphila.org.

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One Response

Fr. Collins was my French and Italian teacher at Roman Catholic High School between 1966-1970. He helped me get into the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School. He has always been one of my heroes. Thank you, Fr. Collins, for everything you did for me! St Gerard Magella, pray for us! Pax Christi tecum, Joe Cunningham